Beginning the Long Awaited CDL Process

Yeah, I'm having fun. Sometimes there are moments that stress you out, like trying to make up time you may have lost somewhere so you can make it to the shipper or receiver on time.

I'll take three days off and head back to my truck on the 4th day. Even that's a long time. I don't get paid for being home and coming home can slow down your runs because they have to route you home. Depending on where you live, coming home and heading out can be slow as far as dispatch is concerned. That's why most folks stay out at least 3 weeks at a time. I live in the Atlanta area so outbound freight isn't a problem.

My length of runs are anywhere between 200 and 1000 miles. Most dispatches can be completed in a day. Every now and then, I get a run with stops. Like right now I'm in Florida outside Tampa. Last night I finished a 2 stop run that left from Hampton, VA, with 200 miles dead head from Winchester, VA. Nice run of a little over a 1000 miles. Now I'm sitting at a TS off of I 4 waiting to go.

You will get short runs. I did one that was 60 miles. That's just the way it is sometimes.

Never turn down an assignment. That's the way I look at it.

 

I stay pretty much this side of the Rocky Mountains. I seem to do a lot of the east up through NJ, lot of PA, and the mid west is common place for me these days. Did a run up into New England, been in NY City and the Boston area. Haven't been down into the deep south recently, with the exception of this run to Florida. This past week the runs have been much longer. Had to switch from days, to nights and then back to days in order to save a delivery (not my doing, paperwork snafu. I got to be the hero). That's probably the hardest thing to get use to.

I don't mind the cold, Sammycat. I was born and raised in New England. I just prefer nice sunny days. That's why I moved south.

Coffee...........mmmmmmmmmmm.........can't wait!

 

Chompi, glad you chimed in. I'm in your state today, buddy. Just don't know for how long. They had my PTA set for tonight, which would be bad because I just switch my hours back to days. It probably doesn't matter because I'm still off duty.

You're right. When I went home last month I had cabin fever on the second day. Couldn't wait to get back out. This time I'm sure will be the same.

One thing I do notice more than I ever noticed before is how 4 wheelers interact with tractors. They have no idea how much they risk their lives cutting back in front of me/ us after they make a pass. Guess they don't realize I could weigh 80,000 pounds, and could easily turn them into road pizza. I keep an eye on them, you can be sure of that.

Good to hear from you again, my friend. Maybe you should get back behind the wheel.

 

Hello Markus. Pleased to meet you, and welcome.

Isn't funny how things change? I have found that the only constant in life is change. (that's probably why the can't come up with the unified theory ).

Best of luck to you with your training. You'll find that the hardest part will be when you're on the road with the trainer, but it's a necessary requirement. You have to tough it out, but it gets better, trust me. The hardest is the first night, was for me, anyway. After that, it was all down hill, and now I have a truck of my own, well, assigned to me.


Stick with it. It's what you make of it.


I'll be happy to answer any questions you have as long as my battery power holds out. If you've read my thread you'll know that's a big problem for me right now.

Stay safe, driver.

 

Hello Everyone.

I'm in sunny Florida, today. Finished up a two stop delivery down here which began up in Virginia.

I took some time to respond to folks I've been neglecting, and now battery power is just about gone. I'm going to try and re-charge it at this truck stop if I have the time. I'm waiting for my next assignment so I'm babysitting the driver tech.

I will tell you that I made a delivery yesterday on a road where no truck belonged. As a matter of fact, I missed the turn onto the "road where no truck belongs" and continued down a different road where no truck belongs, only to find no place to make a u-turn, a metal gate, and a security guard looking at me in disbelief.

Sometimes you make mistakes, and you may need help getting out of them. It so happens this security guard (at a gated community) was kind enough to let me in so I could turn around.

But I wasn't just lucky........I was real lucky. There could have been anything down that road.

My point is that, yes, a driver is responsible for operating his commercial vehicle on roads designated for commercial traffic, but you may find as you start out, not everything is clear cut or you may miss a turn, Just like I did.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll be surprised. People are very willing to help you out.

Oh, once I got turned around, I drove back to the "road where no truck belongs" pulled over to the side, parked and put on my four ways. I wanted to confirm with the receiver that this was indeed, the only truck access to his building. As I was walking down this "road" a woman of advanced years was exiting a McDonalds and almost hit me. She reached the end of the road and turned in the direction of my truck (only place for me to park was just past the "road where no truck belongs").

I went in to the receiver, confirmed that, yes, I must use the road in question, and returned to my truck. Total time away from my vehicle: 15 minutes.

As it turns out, this women, of advancing years, had turn out into the street, pulled up behind my truck and sat there, along with two other vehicles, who thought I was turning at the traffic light up ahead.............like way up ahead. She was surprised to see me walk in front of her car and climb into my cab. I did, before I climbed back aboard, mention to her that I was making a delivery down the "road". She was slightly embarrassed that she didn't realize how far away from the light she really was. She was fine with it and drove around my truck and headed on her way (I should mention that the road I was parked on was a 3 lane road, in coming traffic had one lane, and out going had 2 lanes. I was at no time blocking traffic).

The funny part of this whole event where the two other vehicles, that contained people of not very advanced years, that waited right behind her.

I felt guilty that they waited like that, but the more I thought about it, the funnier it became. I wish I had a video camera. It was really funny moment. I hope nobody's sandwich got cold...............



That's all I have for now.



Thanks for reading.

-Wedge

 

Some people are a little "slow" down here in FLA. Actually most of them drive around like they are stoned!

Good to hear from you man! Thanks for bringing some cooler weather with you! Its been summer down here till you showed up! Where you at? Ormond/Loves? Just down the road are some good biker bars, not that you can go pounding beers but maybe some ladies around. You lucked out cause in the next few weeks is bike week and you are right in the middle of operations. That place can be a mess when all the bikers show up!

Glad to hear you are doing well out there! Sounds like you are adjusting to life out there just fine. I do wish I could get back out but I just am too busy here with the horses and such. I really miss driving and feel like the rest of the country is going on without me. This is my only outlet right now so will have to suffice. The wife and I have talked about buying another truck in our elder years and doing it for fun. We'll see how that pans out!

Keep chuggin man! Enjoy your time out there on the road cause if you ever stop doing it, you will really miss it. Maybe get a little chair out there and enjoy the nice weather. Won't be long before the white stuff comes!

Take care man, drive safe out there, watch out for the 4-wheelers!

 

I feel like I'm talking to a celebrity...I'm floored that you answer me! I am excited to finally have a direction in life. This career is SO different from my first 60 years on this earth. I am concerned about the next few weeks. My unemployment will run out in early December. Wedge, your story of waiting so long between getting your CDL and a paycheck make me hold my breath a little. But, I am a man of faith...the Lord hasnt abandoned me yet.




Markus

 

Welcome Markus to TTR!!! and yes we are a cast of characters all right!!

There are some really good threads here in the newbie section ( read Chalb's and Open Road Guys that is locked) that have great information in them.

It is great to follow someone like Wedge through all the trials he has gone through and hopefully it helps someone like you!

 

Hi Markus I feel the same way when reading and replying to this topic I have been a computer programmer for the past 12 years and I realized after a lot of research that trucking would be a good change for me. Even if I do not like it I will still do the work since it is better than being stuck in a small room with a boss in my face asking me questions all day every day.

 

I am wondering if I'm being fair to my family as I approach this new lifestyle. I've need collecting an unemployment check for the las year and a half...and we've been falling behind on lots of things...it's time for me to get serious again and provide a paycheck to keep the family afloat. My kids are grown up...my wife has a full house of family here to help...so, while I won't deny that life on the road is appealing to me...it also makes sense...doesn't it?



Markus